Endangered Status The Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, a subspecies of the Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, is on the U.S. Endangered Species List. It is classified as endangered in Arizona. Destruction of its habitat, by residential and industrial development, farming practices, livestock grazing, wood cutting, and other human practices, has been the greatest threat to this species. Surveys in recent years counted only three of these owls in Arizona. Greater numbers are found in Texas and Mexico.